Issue 154 Item 11 Modem Transmission of Glucose Values Reduces the Costs and Nee

Electronic transmission of blood glucose levels data —in lieu of a clinic visit—results in a similar level of glucose control and incidence of acute diabetes complications when compared with current standard care. The study was to determine whether modem technology allows for effective management of type 1 diabetes when used in lieu of a clinic visit. A total of 70 adolescent patients with diabetes were prospectively randomized to either a control group or a modem group. Control group patients continued the standard of care of quarterly clinic visits, and modem group patients were instructed to transmit blood glucose data every 2 weeks for 6 months instead of a usual quarterly clinic visit. Health care providers analyzed the data received by modem and contacted patients to discuss diabetes treatment changes. GHbA1c levels were determined at 0 and 6 months, and the number of high and low blood glucose levels and adverse events were tracked. Clinic visit costs, patient expenses, and health care provider times were tracked for cost analysis for both groups. A total of 63 patients (33 control, 30 modem) completed the 6-month study. The GHbA1c values significantly decreased in both groups, with no statistically significant difference between groups (P = 0.96). The occurrence of mild-to-moderate hypoglycemic events were similar in the two groups, and there were no severe hypoglycemic events. The average cost of care for a clinic visit was $305.00, whereas the cost for 6 months of modem transmission was $163.00. The use of modem technology for biweekly communication of blood glucose results and other diabetes-related information to a health care provider was shown to be a viable alternative to clinic visits every 3 months for an adolescent population with type 1 diabetes. The glycemic control and the incidence of acute diabetes-related complications were comparable between the two groups, even though the modem group did not have a 3-month clinic visit. The cost analysis for biweekly transmission of blood glucose data, compared with the standard care of clinic visits every 3 months, indicated that using the Acculink modem to transmit blood glucose data over a 6-month period is more cost-effective than the standard of care. Also, the modem group missed fewer days of school and their parents missed fewer days of work as a result of omitting the 3-month visit. Diabetes Care 26:1475-1479, 2003 ================================ DO YOU KNOW Every two hours a day spent watching the tube was associated with a 14 percent increase in the risk of diabetes, says a report in the April 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. And if you’re thinking about your looks, that two-hour-a-day stint is associated with a 23 percent increase in obesity, says the report by Dr. Frank B. Hu and colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.